The construction industry is a challenging and ever-changing business where no two days are the same. There are a variety of careers in the industry and a variety of different routes which you can take. Here we give you some idea of the various different steps you’ll need to take in your search for construction jobs.

Certification

Not just anyone can walk onto a building site. You’ll need to have a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card or similar card. The reason behind this card is to check for competency of the individual, ensure proper health and safety on site and to reduce the potential for accidents. To apply for the CSCS card you have to take a health and safety test and demonstrate your competence.

Labouring

Labouring is a great way to get your foot on the ladder in the construction industry. It will give you your first experience of being on a building site and help you to learn the ropes. No one said it’s going to be easy so you’ll have to pull your weight to show your competence and potentially move up into a more skilled area. To search for labourer jobs it’s advisable to use a search engine on a job site such as Jobs Today. There, you can refine your search to various locations and job specifications.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are a great way to set yourself on the way to a career in the construction industry. It’s advisable to seek an apprenticeship with a reputable firm and start at the bottom. In an industry where there’s huge scope for personal development it’s not unheard of for an apprentice to eventually work his way up to becoming managing director of the company. Many industry experts advise to start with a carpentry apprenticeship as it will provide you with the broadest range of skills and ensure you’re always needed on site. Again a great way to start looking for apprenticeships is with a construction jobs search.

University Qualifications

If you’re looking to go to University to develop your career in the construction industry, degrees such as architecture and design, building services, civil engineering, construction management, construction economics/surveying and facilities management will give you a first class grounding and skills base to enable you to develop a career in certain sectors such as residential, commercial and industrial contracting; or public sector and civil engineering projects.